Here at A-1 Fence we’ve been talking about roses a lot. We’ve talked about planting them and keeping bugs off of them.
Now we’re going to talk about rose disease treatments for rose fungus, since it is the third biggest rose problem that gardeners face.
How Do I Spot a Rose Fungus?
Rose fungus manifests in several different ways. Look for the following signs.
- Black spots on leaves.
- Reddish purple spots on leaves and stems.
- A powdery mildew white or grey residue on leaves and stems.
- Rust colored patches and lumps on leaves and stems. These often turn to black pustules later.
How Do I Prevent a Rose Fungus?
Preventing rose fungus starts at planting. First, if you want the lowest possible maintenance and if you’re new to rose gardening it makes sense to get a tough, disease-resistant variety of rose.
We recommend asking the Milwaukee Rose Society about the roses that resist disease best. You’ll get advice on which Wisconsin roses are particularly low maintenance.
Where you plant the roses matters as well. Planting roses in an area with at least six hours of daily sun helps fight fungus.
Planting rose bushes far enough apart and choosing an area of your yard that has good air flow is also helpful.
That means you don’t want to plant your roses too close to your fence unless you’re planting a climbing rose. You might want to avoid climbing roses on wooden fences especially as the two will work together to hold moisture after a rain. An aluminum fence with plenty of air flow offers a better environment.
You should also be sure to add a good layer of cedar mulch around your roses to keep the moisture above ground. When you water, make sure you’re watering the roots, not the stems, branches, or roses themselves. It sometimes helps to just bury a soaker hose in the ground near your roses, since you can turn on the water without risking too much moisture.
How Do I Handle Rose Fungus When it Shows Up?
It’s a good idea to check your roses regularly, especially after very heavy rains. Make sure that you’re pulling any diseased leaves and clearing any fallen diseased leaves from around your bushes.
You can also treat roses by spraying them with either a commercial fungicide or a basic soap, baking soda, and water mix. You can also use a water/milk mix as described in this video:
If you need help don’t forget to reach out to other rose enthusiasts. There are plenty to choose from here in Milwaukee and they’re happy to help!
We have been installing beautiful fences in the Milwaukee metro area for over 35 years. Call us today for a free estimate on your new fence.
*Photo image courtesy of rose-gardening-made-easy.com.
